December 12th, 2017
EPA is releasing its revised risk assessment and announcing an agreement with registrants to remove and phase out certain uses of the organophosphate pesticide diazinon.Also known as Spectracide and other trade names, diazinon is one of the most widely-used insecticides in the U.S., especially for household lawn and garden pest control. The Food Quality ProtectionAct, enacted in 1996, sets a more stringent safety standard for most pesticides and offers special protection for children. EPA has accepted a voluntary agreement from the manufacturers of diazinon to modify the uses of this pesticide to address the tough new safety standard of FQPA. TheAgency accepted the termination of all indoor residential and indoor non-residential uses of diazinon. EPA and the registrants also have agreed to phase out and cancel outdoor residential lawn and garden uses (i.e., all outdoor non-agricultural uses) over the next few years. Together, these actions will end about 75% of the current use of diazinon. EPA and the registrants have further agreed to remove about one third of the agricultural crop uses of diazinon. This action will also help mitigate risks to workers, birds and other wildlife, drinking water resources, and the environment.